It will be a long while before I tackle my next DIY furniture project; the cold and unpredictable weather doesn't help speed up any prospective plans either. In fact, unlike my last DIY where I had thought about and drew up plans for years earlier, this future project is as of right now completely unplanned for. Practically impulsive if I do say so myself...I saw the amazing price the set hairpin legs were selling for during the Black Friday/Cyber Monday sale at DIY Hairpin Legs Co. and I couldn't help myself.
I had toyed with the idea of making a bench-like piece after I completed the desk. A bench would be 100% a want instead of fulfilling any sort of need. It would be nice to have something that will match my desk in terms of aesthetics. It would be nice to have something more spacious to place bags I frequently reach for. It would be convenient to have a lighter "table" I could move around for taking photos for the blog. Yet the main thing that held me back was the cost of all the materials just couldn't justify any of those wants.
When the after-Thanksgiving sales began, the company I previously bought my hairpin legs from had a deal I just couldn't pass up on. Instead of paying nearly $80 dollars (pre-shipping) for a set of 4 2-Rod, 16" high, 1/2" thick, and pre-painted (powder-coated) white hairpin legs, I was able to get the set for just $30 (pre-shipping). That is more than a 50% difference! Plus all the time I would save because I don't have to personally paint the legs white this time around, hallelujah.
The package from DIY Hairpin Legs Co. came in a much better condition. There was only a small hole on one of the sides and the box, in general, was intact. Instead of kraft paper, each individual leg was wrapped in a foam sheet that was further wrapped with stretchy plastic cling film. Everything was bundled up with so much more care! I don't know if this is because the company recently changed their packing style or if the painted hairpin legs just generally receive more attention than the raw steel ones. Either option could be possible but I think the latter makes more sense since it would be terrible if the pre-painted legs arrived chipped.
Compared to the hairpin legs that I painted myself, the pre-painted version feels so smooth and looks much glossier. I don't think it is noticeable from afar but the glossiness is definitely apparent the closer I get to the legs. Good thing these little guys are half the height of my table legs; no one will ever really stoop that low to take such a close comparison view of both together anyways. I can't wait to think more about what to actually do with these legs now. I have a good half year before the weather starts to get warm again...
There hasn't been this much variety in my month-to-month beauty purchases in a while. The only thing all of these products have in common is they were bought on sale and/or with coupons. With all the stuff I already have that is basically the only sane reason I use to justify myself at this point.
CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion is making its routine appearance. I have yet to share my written thoughts on it because I want to try the lotion in the drier, colder weather first. But I think actions are speaking a thousand words for me already. As per usual, I stacked a bunch of coupons and deals to buy both for ~USD $6-7 each.
(Of the 6 bottles total now that I have bought in the last year, I have seen at least 3-4 variations of packaging...what's up with that?)
While everyone (including my usual self) seems to lose all control during the annual Sephora VIB Rouge sale, I tried to be a tad more sensible this year. It felt wasteful to not use that 20% discount after all that money I dumped at Sephora last year to gain the VIB status. Plus, I had some gift cards to spend with the brand. So why not?
My self-control was reigned in well right? My actual purchase included both the Neogen Bio-Peel Gauze Peeling Lemon and Green Tea plus a Farmacy cleansing balm. Despite waiting for 2+ weeks before receiving any further progress updates on my VIB order, Sephora e-mailed to say the cleansing balm had in fact been sold-out. I'm glad the entire order wasn't canceled but I had my hopes up patiently waiting for 3 items... To think Sephora's website and inventory would be better connected than that.
While I was being disappointed by Sephora's lack of progress, Peach & Lily's Black Friday through Cyber Monday sale had me jumping up and down in my seat. 30% off everything, including their newly curated brands?! Score! Since I had swiped up some of their newer skincare brands, Olivarrier and abib, at their sample sale, I was most interested in finally getting my hands on more of the JUNGSAEMMOOL makeup.
The prices are higher than Korean retail on Peach and Lily but with the 30% discount, and EMS costs via Global Lotte/Hyundai in consideration, Peach & Lily was clearly the cost winner at that moment. I originally wanted to only get the JSM Refining Color Bony Brow pencil to replace my current brow product. But I was quickly reminded of their USD $50 free shipping minimum (that is currently waived for USA orders until the end of December). By that point, I got a little irrational and added the Artist Contour Palette in Shape and Shade, Essential Star-cealer Foundation in Medium-Deep, and High Color Lipstick in High Matte Burgundy. When else would I get to buy JSM on sale in the USA?? Mizon Snail Repair Eye Cream found its way into the mix when Peach & Lily promised a freebie sheet mask and their sheet mask travel bag for orders over USD $100, after discounts.
Apparently, all the control I had during the Sephora sale was meant to save for this massive dump at Peach & Lily instead. My order ultimately didn't come with that sheet mask, but I am too excited for the stuff I actually paid for to be upset by it. The important products are in my hands and that is all that matters! Christmas is here early for me~
Brows were never a priority when I ventured into all things beauty. I was more willing to figure out eyeliner before I went near the tiny strands of hairs above my lids. The thought of plucking one too many hairs or wrongly shaving a portion was too stressful. At least with other areas of makeup, I could remove it if anything went wrong. Brows? That requires a wait for it to regrow. Now that I mustered up enough trust in myself to tackle my eyebrows, I am slowly getting the hang of all things eyebrow related.
When I had the chance to shop shu uemura in person during one of the many layover stops in Hong Kong, I couldn't pass on the chance to try their brow products. The brand is best known for their cleansing oils and brow products (more precisely the hard formula pencil). While I love to try coveted items, I hated the idea of having to manual shave the tip with a knife—which led me to the shu uemura's brow:sword .
I would be lying if I said this was my first eyebrow product, this was actually number 2. First place went to Anatasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz. I don't remember what shade I purchased or if it was even a good match or not. I walked into Sephora and trusted the experts to help me with my first brow item. After a few months of sparing usage, I thought the product itself was just ok; the pencil and spoolie broke off a little too easily and the tip was too thin for my liking. The main feature I liked was its retractability.
brow:sword is the complete opposite of Brow Wiz. One is thick, the other is thin. One has a slanted edge, the other a fine point. One is very sturdy, the other quite flimsy. All that I didn't like about Anatasia's bestseller, I found were fixed with shu uemura's underdog star.
shu uemura's description:
1st pre-shaped naginata brow pencil. easy and soft, yet precise and defined. the beautiful smooth texture allows for easy drawing and with a pre-set sharpener precision that comes naturally. the convenient brush tip also helps blending for a beautiful, perfectly finish brow look.
Directions
how to use brush
pull the bottom cap off to reveal the brush. hold the brush flat against the brow and brush outwards to comb brow hair.
how to use sharpener
twist the bottom cap to reveal the sharpener. hold the sharpener on notch at the bottom, twist the pencil to reveal 7 mm lead and gently slide the pencil along the groove at a 30 degree angle.
Ingredients
STEARIC ACID, RHUS SUCCEDANEA FRUIT CERA, HYDROGENATED CASTOR OIL, SUCROSE TETRASTEARATE TRIACETATE, C1-30 CHOLESTEROL/LANOSTEROL ESTERS, TRIETHYLHEXANOIN, SORBITAN SESQUIOLEATE, TOCOPHEROL, [+/- MICA CI77499, CI 77492, CI 77491, CI 77891]
Pencil catridge 0.3 g
shu uemura (Japanese retail): ¥ 4,000
shu uemura - refill cartridge (Japanese retail): ¥ 2,000
shu uemura (American retail): USD $35
shu uemura - refill cartridge (American retail): USD $25
Packaging
A double-ended eyebrow product with a replaceable retractable pencil on one end and a spoolie/sharpener combo on the other. The pencil cartridge is easily removed with a gentle tug. Twisting the spoolie end will reveal the sharpener to help achieve the unique sword shape.
I love the design of this. The tube is thick and long enough to hold comfortably while not straining my hands. The spoolie is on the stubbier side but it is sturdy, none of that thin and flimsy stuff. I have never used the sharpener despite it coming with the pencil. I don't find myself ever needing the tip to be blade sharp.
Color, Texture, Finish, & Scent
Seal brown is a very cool-toned ashy brown. This is the shade the sales associate in Hong Kong recommended me. Again, I made up my mind to trust her; c'mon it is Hong Kong! They help loads of people with dark black hair and with my similar skin tone. Seal brown seems to be a good match. The brown helps give a softer look and the cool undertones make my brows look more filled-in/shadowy versus drawn on.
The pencil seems waxy in its formulation and gives a matte finish. There isn't any scent. I love that it is is a harder type eyebrow pencil. I've used it for almost 2 years (albeit it was nearly untouched for the first year) with varying degrees of pressure and it never broke or crumbled on me. A light swipe only gives a faint line—but that is just the way I like my eyebrow pencils. Put a tad more pressure and the line gets exponentially deeper. This lets me build up the intensity to however I want. If a pencil is too soft and creamy I would over apply way too quickly.
How I Apply
On most days I draw an outline around my existing brows, giving it a sharper shape, and proceed to fill in the gaps. Then I take the spoolie, brush out my hairs, and blend away at the harsh edges I drew in for natural-softer brows.
Thoughts & Recommendations
Once the product is on my face it is very easy to blend with a spoolie; therefore, it is just as easy to rub off. With that said, my filled-in brows stay on for a long time on combination skin. The only time it is disturbed is if I scratch an itch or rub it accidentally (say against clothes or a hat).
Other than loving the color and formulation of the brow:sword, I didn't know how much I prefer the thicker slanted brow pencil tips until I started to use this product. The diagonal shape helps speed up the brow process a ton. I don't have to worry about whether my hand will draw a straight line with a tiny precision pencil or have to stroke individual hairs. If I did want to make hair-like strokes I could easily use the tippy-end of the sword to make the same defined lines as a precision pointed pencil would.
I almost forgot how expensive the shu uemura brow:sword is. Even compared to similarly shaped brow pencils available at Sephora, it is on the pricier end. Granted, one cartridge of the pencil is lasting me a very long time and I would give the brand bonus points for selling refill cartridges. Unfortunately, it seems like most shades of the brow:sword and refills are regularly out of stock (or never restocked) and shu uemura only officially sells via their website in the USA.
My experience with brow pencils is limited. But I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this product and shade to anyone else with darker hair, especially those with naturally black locks. Ashy browns aren't as harsh nor as strong as gray or black could be (unless that is the preferred look). Having a retractable slanted tip also makes this great for eyebrow newbies and lower-maintenance types since application is quick and pencil maintenance is virtually non-existent. For now, this will go on my wishlist for whenever I, or any family or close friends, touch-down in Asian airports or even visit Canada.
